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Cambridge Selling Through J&amp;R Music

NEW YORK — Cambridge SoundWorks, the factory-direct audio manufacturer, has expanded its distribution to New York City CE specialist J&R Music and Computer World.

The agreement marks the first time that Cambridge's line of stereo and home theater speakers and assorted electronic products will be sold outside its own catalog, company stores and Web site (hifi.com) since a two-year distribution deal with Best Buy ended in 1997.

As part of the pact, J&R will create a dedicated Cambridge showroom that will carry the company's surround sound systems, speakers, subwoofers and related music systems. The products will only be sold at the brick-and-mortar store, rather than through J&R's own catalog and e-commerce site.

According to Cambridge president Michael Sullivan, the agreement gives his products a physical foothold in one of its largest direct markets.

"J&R's highly-efficient operation … exposes Cambridge SoundWorks to the vast audience of New York City retail buyers, allowing us to gain share in one of our largest markets," he said. J&R CEO and co-founder Rachelle Friedman added that creating the Cambridge section "is part of our commitment to assessing our customers' needs and delivering the highest quality products at reasonable prices."

Those prices, explained a Cambridge spokeswoman, will be independent of Cambridge's own direct-sale retails. Similarly, purchases made at J&R and through Cambridge's own retail venues will not be linked.

Cambridge, whose multimedia speakers are also sold worldwide via Creative Technology's distribution network, has no current plans to broaden it distribution to additional dealers, the company spokeswoman said.